Quote:
Originally Posted by Slims
Don't knock the Israeli's for being competent.
|
Hitting a mosque--among other targets, including a greenhouse--and having women and children among the dead: I hardly think rb's statement was a question of competence. He was hinting at the disparity in demonstrated force.
Despite any disagreement we may have on the causes and continuing problems of the situation in this region, Israel should be expected to demonstrate reasonable management of any situation that arises out of it. I've said it before in other threads, but regardless of any action of Hamas or other militant group, Israel does not ever get an "exempt-from-human-rights-standards" card. They need to be held to the same standard as any other nation, especially considering their military capabilities.
I don't have much else to say on this situation at this point, except that I tend to have a problem with responses to this that suggest Hamas is to blame for the deaths caused by Israel. It would be irresponsible of Israel to accept that claim or to endorse it. On the same note, I tend to get frustrated when heads of state do not either condemn such military action or at least suggest restraint or balanced force. I'm not sure we're seeing balance here, especially if you look at what the Israeli military is gearing up for.
As far as the Palestinian rocket attacks are concerned, I sincerely hope they aren't using them just to get a rise out of Israel as a way to garner international sympathy in the wake of heavy-handed Israeli military action. There are better ways.
The bottom line: There is no military solution in Gaza. Any military action should be considered a failure on some level, and often on more than one.